17 films I saw in 2014

This was a year where I didn’t hold myself back from watching any movie I could. Here is a list of 17 movies I saw, and my thoughts about them.

1. Hasee toh Phasee

Surely among the finest movies of the year, this ranks up there as one of the best romantic comedies I have seen. I still listen to a lot of the songs, and wouldn’t mind watching it again if they show it on some TV channel. A love story between a scientist (Parineeti) and a man (Siddharth) set to marry that scientist’s sister – this film scores high for being genuine.

2. Gunday

I like Ranveer Singh. Even when he is clearly overacting. This film feels like an ode to the two-hero movies that were so popular in the 1990s. Full of over the top sequences, dramatic twists and turns, and filmy dialoguebaazi, this film gave me total bang for buck.

3. Queen

Another gem from 2014, Queen surpassed all expectations and became a huge hit. The film broke my belief that Kangana Ranaut couldn’t act. She played an endearingly awkward woman, called Rani (which means Queen) whose dreams of getting married were shattered as her husband dumped her. Set largely in Europe, this film doesn’t have lots of twists and turns, but keeps you gripped by the niceness of the characters, and novelty of the situations.

4. 2 States

I didn’t read the book, but the movie wasn’t too bad. The film had some funny moments, and the overall concept of families from 2 States finding it difficult to adjust together is relevant in our country. I also enjoyed the Tamil and Punjabi stereotypes that were portrayed in the film.

3. Humshakals

The day I had seen Humshakals, I was not in a sane state of mind. Distressed with the world, I went to watch this movie fully knowing that it would be nonsense. It was nonsense, and I enjoyed some of it.

A very unique film, this one would receive just passing marks from me for three reasons – some good songs, Siddharth Malhotra and a quote that I live by.

‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.’ – Martin Luther King

The quote is somewhat the premise of the movie.

5. Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania

I really like Varun Dhawan. This film could have been much better, but was heart-warming nevertheless. The sad song Main Tenu Samjhawan Ki, would definitely make it to my list of favorite 2014 songs.

6. Kick

According to me, this is much much better than the other Salman Khan movies. With twists and turns at every corner, this one kept me fascinated, amused and amazed all at once. The humor is great, just like Salman’s swagger. Just like the film’s title promised, this one gave me lots of kicks.

‘Aap devil ke peeche aur devil aapke peeche. Too much fun!’

7. Entertainment

It is definitely not easy to make a disaster movie like this one. It doesn’t make any sense at all.

There are a few bizarre scenes which bring you on the brink of laughter, but even with a jovial and upbeat mood – all I could manage was a smile.

8. Singham Returns

Again, considering this was a Rohit Shetty film – who had previously made the Chennai Express and Singham- I expected it to be more entertaining. But, it wasn’t a disappointment.

Though not in the same league as Singham, this one gave me total bang for my buck. Just that while doing a roundup list like this, I feel that this was not a memorable one from this year.

9. Finding Fanny

My experience of this film began with a tragedy. I bought the ticket in a hurry, only to realize that the show was in Hindi, and not in English which was how I had wanted it.

Barring that, this was an easy Sunday afternoon kind of a film that you would enjoy with a cup of hot coffee. It doesn’t have much of a plot, and it’s just a mix of strange characters and stranger situations. You can watch it on a DVD if you want, but don’t expect a classic.

10. Daawat-E-Ishq

This film didn’t fly at the box-office, but I really loved it! I went in with no clue whatsoever about the plot of the movie, and came out satisfied. Both Parineeti Chopra and Aditya Roy Kapoor are energetic and charming on screen and that is what made this movie enjoyable for me. The script is also good.

I’ll definitely recommend this if you are looking to watch a Hindi rom-com.

11. Haider

I’d say this was the best film made in 2014. Harboring the lesson that people who seek revenge need to dig two graves, one for their enemy and one for themselves – this film had everything going for it. Great drama, great acting, great dialogues – and a superbly scenic Kashmir!

12. Bang Bang!

Hrithik Roshan was so hot in this movie, that I had a man-crush on him. The scene where he is showing off his insanely ripped body while chopping wood sends the temperature soaring!

This film has a few cheesy sections, but I chose to ignore them. I went in to see a suave and stylish Hrithik pull off incredible action sequences accompanied by great background music. Bang Bang delivered what it promised.

13. Happy New Year

This was a nonsensical film but it didn’t pretend that it was not! A lot of the slapstick humor was lost on me, but a lot of it made me chuckle too. My favorite scene in the movie was how Deepika Padukone falls for SRK just because he speaks English!

14. Rang Rasiya

I expected more, considering the premise was so nice. The movie was a good history lesson, but the drama could have been better.

15. Happy Ending

Again, a disappointing rom-com. But, not a disaster. Govinda was funny in his cameo, and Saif and Ileana gave fine performances too. It’s hard to point out what made this film not click.

16. PK

I laughed out loud so many times while watching this movie. Hats off to Rajkumar Hirani! After 3 Idiots, the pressure on him to deliver again was intense. He delivers somehow.

His innocence about the ways of human beings is hilarious. Aamir Khan speaking in Bhojpuri is a master-stroke from Hirani.

It’s still in theaters, and you should watch it!

17. Ugly

I saw this movie in INOX Gold Class, shelling out a mammoth Rs 480 (not because I am rich, but that was the only feasible show available)for the ticket. Despite the steep rate, I didn’t walk out of the movie disgruntled or disappointed. I walked out a little scared (I saw a 10.45 pm show and it was 1 am when I walked out) that some desperate and dark character on the road might do something to disrupt the harmony in my life.